ByteSnap Design launches WirelessHART development and certification support service

UK electronic product design company ByteSnap Design has launched a WirelessHART product development and certification support service aimed at industrial manufacturers deploying wireless devices in hazardous environments. The company is based in Birmingham, UK, and the service was announced on 22 January 2025.

WirelessHART is used for wireless communication in process automation and control systems. Certification requires manufacturers to meet multiple compliance requirements, including WirelessHART protocol standards, ATEX and IECEx hazardous area approvals, and radio frequency performance testing.

According to ByteSnap Design, these requirements present technical and regulatory challenges for manufacturers seeking to bring WirelessHART products to market. The new service is intended to support organisations navigating certification processes and associated testing.

Dunstan Power, Director of ByteSnap Design, said:
“The path to WirelessHART certification is filled with technical challenges that many manufacturers underestimate. With demanding FieldComm protocol testing, multi-week mesh stability validation, and the intensive DLL 39a stress test that involves two million messages, projects without specialised expertise risk costly certification failures and delays.”

ByteSnap Design said it has practical experience in preparing WirelessHART devices for certification, including work for an industrial client. The company’s support has covered areas such as RF engineering, hardware design, embedded firmware, hazardous area engineering, and liaison with certification bodies.

As an Analog Devices Design Partner, ByteSnap Design works with pre-certified hardware, including Analog Devices WirelessHART modems. The company said this approach can help reduce risk during development and compliance planning.

The WirelessHART service follows a three-stage process. This includes an initial discussion to review objectives and requirements, a feasibility study to map certification needs and timelines, and full project delivery. The delivery phase can include hardware and firmware development, RF design, ATEX compliance, FieldComm testing, and field validation.

ByteSnap Design reported that a recent instrumentation manufacturer selected the consultancy after reviewing its assessment of certification risk and development approach. The project resulted in a device prepared for certification, enabling the client to pursue industrial tenders previously unavailable to them.

The company said the service responds to demand from manufacturers seeking to introduce wireless connectivity while meeting safety requirements in hazardous environments. Certified WirelessHART devices are used to support installation efficiency and compliance with procurement standards.

Further information about ByteSnap Design’s WirelessHART development and certification support services is available via the company’s website.

Image source: DALL-E